Method of processing a roll of exposed photographic film containing photographic images into corresponding digital images and then distributing visual prints produced from the digital images

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to a method of processing at least one digital image of at least one photographic image and distributing at least one visual print produced from the at least one digital image. The method includes the steps of storing at least one digital image of at least one photographic image on at least one image server at a first location. Selective authorized access to the at least one digital image of the at least one photographic image from a second location is then facilitated. Orders are received for at least one visual print of the at least one photographic image from the second location. Based upon the orders, at least one visual image is produced from the stored digital image at the first location in response to the at least one order.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/039,547, filed Nov. 9,2001, entitled “A METHOD OF PROCESSING A ROLL OF EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHICFILM CONTAINING PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES INTO CORRESPONDING DIGITAL IMAGESAND THEN DISTRIBUTING VISUAL PRINTS PRODUCED FROM THE DIGITAL IMAGES” byPhilip N. Garfinkle, Yaacov B. Yaacov and Elliot D. Jaffe, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/490,341 (now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 6,512,570 to Garfinkle et al.), which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/773,756, (now issued as U.S. Pat.No. 6,017,157 to Garfinkle et al.).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of processing digital images of atleast one photographic image and distributing visual prints producedfrom the digital images. More particularly, this invention relates to amethod of processing at least one digital image of at least onephotographic image and distributing visual prints in various formatscorresponding to the at least one digital image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a common photographic process, a series of photographic prints aretaken with a camera and the exposed film is sent to a photographiclaboratory where the film is developed. In the developing process, theexposed film is transferred in darkness into a developing solution,which causes any affected grain of the latent image to be whollyconverted into silver. After a brief rinse in a stop bath of acid orwater to remove developer and to stop development, the film is fixed ina solution of sodium thiosulfate or in a more rapid fixing solution.These solutions dissolve and remove the unchanged silver salts, thusrendering the film insensitive to light. The film is then washed anddried. Each picture is now a transparent negative in which light partsof the object are represented by dark areas and dark parts by lightareas.

A large negative can be used to make a contact print, but smallnegatives are usually placed in an enlarger in which light from a lampthrows an enlarged and accurately focused image onto a piece of printingpaper that has been coated with an emulsion similar to that on the filmbut less sensitive to light. The paper is then developed and fixed toform a positive print. The developed photographic prints are thenprovided to the photographer.

Although the photographic process of developing and distributingphotographic prints has proven satisfactory, further improvements in thefield of processing and distributing photographic film are desired. Anobject of the present invention is to provide a method of processingdigital images of at least one photographic image and distributingvisual prints produced from the digital images. Yet another object ofthe present invention is to provide a method of processing digitalimages of at least one photographic image and distributing visual printsthrough the use of an interface such as an HTML interface, clientinterface, or received via a telephone operator or printed order. Stillanother object of the present invention is to provide a method ofprocessing digital images of at least one photographic image anddistributing visual prints that is economical and easily accessiblethrough a secure network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a method for ordering digital imageproducts over a communication network, comprising:

-   -   a. storing at least one digital image on a remote server of a        service provider;    -   b. placing an order by a user for at least one image product        using a remote computer over a communication network with        respect to the at least one digital image and the user        designating the location at which the image product is to be        picked up;    -   c. producing the at least one image product; and    -   d. picking up the image product at the designated location.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for ordering digital image products over acommunication network, comprising:

-   -   a. storing at least one digital image on a remote server of a        service provider;    -   b. placing an order by a user for at least one image product        with respect to the at least one digital image over a        communication network using a remote computer and the user        selecting a fulfillment center at which the product is produced;        and    -   c. producing the at least one image product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and other objects and advantages of this invention willbecome clear from the following detailed description made with referenceto the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the invention methodology of processingdigital images of at least one photographic image and distributingvisual prints produced from the digital images;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a Developer and Scanning Center;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the upload interface A between the scanningcenter and the image server of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3B are a schematic of the processing of images in the uploadinterface A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the upload interface A from the photographer tothe image server;

FIGS. 5-5F are a schematic of the Interface B;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a Fulfillment Center;

FIG. 7-7A is a schematic of the Administrative Interface C;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an alternate Interface B between thePhotographer and the Image Server; and

FIGS. 9A-9C are representative illustrations of a Photographer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters representlike elements, the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7A is a method 10of processing digital images of at least one photographic image anddistributing visual prints in various formats corresponding to the atleast one digital image of the at least one photographic image.

Briefly, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the illustrated methodology 10 isused in association with a conventional photographic process wherein anobject(s) or subject(s) are posed in front of a camera and one or morepictures are taken of the object(s) or subject(s) by a photographer 8utilizing the camera 9 a. The camera may be a conventional camera 9 ausing photographic film or a digital camera of a type well known in theart.

When using photographic film, the exposed photographic film 9 b is thensent to a developer 12, e.g., a photographic laboratory, where thephotographic film is developed in the traditional manner as well knownin the photographic industry, see FIG. 2. The developed photographicfilm is then scanned at a scanning center 14 to acquire a digital imageof the photographic image on the photographic film, see FIG. 2 andstored on one or more image servers 16, see FIG. 9B. In an alternateembodiment, a digital image from the digital camera of the photographicimage is uploaded directly to one or more image servers 16.

Selective authorized access to an image of the photographic image isthen provided through an interface B as further described herein. Ordersfor visual prints in various formats corresponding to the photographicimage are then received and fulfilled from a fulfillment center 20, alsoas further described herein.

The establishment which receives the roll of film for development willbe referred to herein as the “developer” 12. The developer 12 may onlyact as an intermediary between the photographer 8 and the entity thatactually develops the roll of film or the developer may actually developthe roll of film. As used herein, the “photographer” refers to any partyhaving authorized access to the images and is not necessarily limited tothe party that took the pictures. The establishment which scans the rollof film and sends (or uploads) it to the image server 16 will bereferred to herein as the “scanning center” 14. The establishment whichfulfills, charges, and delivers the order will be referred to herein asthe “fulfillment center” 20. The developer 12 and/or the scanning center14 and/or the fulfillment center 20 can be at the same physical locationand may be the same entity.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in thedevelopment process either a negative strip 9 c (cut or uncut) isgenerated and marked for digital processing or a series of developedphotographic prints is made at the photographic laboratory from the rollof film and sent to the scanning center 14. At the scanning center 14,the developed photographic prints and/or negative strips are thenconverted into digital images. The developed photographic prints and/ornegative strips are converted into digital images by a scanner 9 d of atype well known in the art. For example, digital images may be scannedfrom a negative strip on a negative scanner or from developedphotographic prints on a flatbed scanner.

In a preferred embodiment, scanning occurs from the negative before thenegative strip is cut. The negative is preferably scanned after thephotographic film is developed and before any photographic prints arecreated. In a most preferred embodiment, all photographic images in thenegative strip are scanned in a single pass by the scanner 9 d. In analternate embodiment, the negative strips are spliced together on a filmreel 9 e in a manner well known in the photographic industry, and therolls are scanned automatically by a high-volume commercially availablescanner 9 d. Developed photographic prints may be scanned on a flatbedscanner (a typical set of prints from a roll can be scanned in about10-20 minutes). Regardless of the method used to acquire the digitalimage, the preferred minimum size for the resulting image is 1024×1536pixels with 24-bit color. It will be appreciated that color and exposurecorrection of the digital image may be performed after scanning usingtechniques well known in the art.

In an alternate embodiment, the digital images may be acquired throughthe photographer 8 by scanning or acquired directly from a digitalcamera of a type well known in the art.

The acquired digital images are then transferred electronically to oneor more machines at a first location, e.g., computers, for storage aswell know in the art. (See e.g., 3 a, FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 1, thedigital images may be transferred by the photographer 8 and/or thescanning center 14 through an upload interface A.

A machine useful for storing the digital images will be referred toherein as an “image server”. In a preferred embodiment, the digitalimages are stored at a first location on one or more images servers 16from which images are accessible by the photographer 8 through the useof an interface B. In a most preferred embodiment, each digital image isscanned in JPEG format and stored in a computer database on one or moreimage servers 16. For example, the individual digital images may bestored in a single directory on each image server 16, with databaseentries identifying the location of the digital images and any relatedinformation. Since the digital images may be stored on numerous imageservers 16 as desired, a unique access code is provided thatincorporates an identifier which identifies the location of the imageserver 16 where the digital images are stored. (See e.g., 3 d, FIG. 3).In a preferred embodiment, the access code includes a prefix whichidentifies the digital images of interest and the particular imageserver 16 storing the digital images. (See e.g., 3 c and 3 d, FIG. 3 and5 c, FIG. 5). The access code may be selected by the scanner operatorfor each roll of film, based upon a desired set of criteria. For batchscanning of rolls of film, the access code may be selected based upon apre-assigned number for the batch and a bar code associated with theroll of film which is automatically detected by the scanner during thescanning process.

In a preferred embodiment, the digital images and associated informationare stored in a single directory on a local machine of the photographer8 or at the scanning center 14. An operator at the scanning center orthe photographer 8 uses the upload interface A to transfer the data (allimages and associated information) to the image server 16, where it isstored in a directory on the image server. In a preferred embodiment, aGraphical User Interface (GUI) is used to verify the quality andorientation of the digital images before sending them to the imageserver 16. (See e.g., 3 b, FIG. 3). The digital image and informationare then processed at the image server 16 and incorporated into theimage server database. (See e.g., 3 f, FIG. 3).

It will be appreciated that this design allows for communication betweenthe scanning center 14 or photographer 8 and the image server 16 to beinterrupted at any time without causing a failure, since the digitalimages are not processed until the entire roll is stored at the imageserver. A partially uploaded roll of film may be deleted or the uploadeddigital image re-used (if they are the correct size and have anidentical checksum as the corresponding images at the scanning center14).

In a most preferred embodiment, the image server 16 is at the samephysical location as the scanning center 14, which allows a localnetwork between the local machine and the image server to transferimages in an efficient manner via the upload interface A.

Preferably, the image server 16 stores the digital images in acommercially available database on a RAID disk partition to guardagainst disk failures, and the server data is archived on an archivalmedium (such as an 8 mm. tape drive) at regular intervals to guardagainst catastrophic failures.

Selective authorized access to an image of the developed film is thenprovided through the use of the interface B.

As previously described, a unique access code is associated with thedigital images to facilitate secure viewing of the images from aseparate second location through the use of the interface B. In additionto the access code, a name, phone number, e-mail address, store location(where the film was received), scanning location (where the digitalimages were created), current date and time, and other desiredinformation may be assigned and/or collected for each roll of film. Thisinformation is transferred to the image server 16 through the uploadinterface A along with the digital images. (See e.g., 3 e, FIG. 3).

In a preferred embodiment, an access code is associated with each rollof film (9 b), and the digital images are accessed at the image server16 through the use of the interface B by HyperText Markup Language(HTML) pages on the WWW (World Wide Web) or a client interface accessingan image server using a proprietary protocol over a computer networksuch as the Internet. Examples of a client interface include a plug-inmodule for the well-known Adobe PhotoShop or a stand-alone imagingapplication specially designed for this purpose.

In a most preferred embodiment, the photographer 8 accesses HTML pagesfrom a WWW browser using either the Secure HyperText Transport Protocol(HTTPS) or HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) to access a NetscapeEnterprise Server running on an Axil 320 Sparc acting as the imageserver. The Netscape server is configured with an HTML forms interfacewhich accepts the unique access code and provides access to thumbnails(small replicas of the full digital image) of the images in the roll inthe form of an online proof sheet. The interface B allows thephotographer 8 to perform specific tasks using the digital images, suchas the ability to electronically mail (e-mail) an image to anotherparty; download an image to the photographer's home computer 9 f, seeFIG. 9C; or order a visual print of a specific image in a variety offormats and sizes, such as photographic prints or enlargements ofphotographic prints, and photographic merchandise including T-shirts,sweatshirts, mugs, mouse pads, puzzles, ties, buttons, electronic slideshows, and other items bearing the digital image.

It will be appreciated that when downloading or e-mailing a digitalimage, the resolution of the digital image is preferably reduced to ascreen size of 600×400 pixels or 712×512 pixels. These sizes are moreappropriate for screen display of the digital images, and allow fastertransfer of the data over a network.

In a preferred embodiment, the image server 16 is connected to theInternet to allow the processed digital images to be accessed fromremote locations (second location) different from and independent ofwhere the film is developed (first location). The digital images for aroll of film are maintained at the image server 16 for a fixed period oftime (such as 30 days), after which they are marked as deleted and aftera short grace period (such as 5 days), removed from the image server tofree up disk space for other images. The grace period allows forfulfillment of orders which occur after a roll is marked deleted to behandled from the image server 16, since the roll is still on the imageserver (avoiding the need to reference a backup copy of the roll). Inthis embodiment, multiple RAID partitions are preferably used so thatthe image server 16 can continue to process new rolls of film when onepartition is unavailable due to service or backup procedures as wellknown in the art. While a number of solutions exist for storing thedigital image files for a particular roll in the RAID partitions, theprocess described below satisfies several important performanceconsiderations, and is currently preferred. This process selects adirectory on the image server 16 for storage of the digital images, andassumes that this location is stored along with the related rollinformation (e.g., access code, name etc.) in a database (with theaccess code serving as the primary index). The process for choosing adirectory is as follows:

-   -   a) A directory called RAID is used, under which a directory        exists for each file system partition (such as aux1, aux2, etc.        up to 365 maximum partitions). Partitions are large enough to        store a large number of rolls (generally 12-15 Megabytes per        roll) but small enough to be backed up to a single tape (with        8 mm. tapes, roughly 7 Gigabytes per partition). (See e.g., 3 g        and 3 k, FIG. 3). A partition directory is chosen by taking the        number of partitions modulo the day of the year.    -   b) The preferred Axil machine runs the Solaris operating system        (a version of UNIX) and can be configured to run multiple image        servers (by responding to multiple IP addresses, such as www.        Photonet.com, wolf.photonet.com, etc.). To allow for this        situation, each partition directory contains a subdirectory for        each such site (for example, www, wolf, etc.). (See e.g., 3 j,        FIG. 3). This allows multiple sites to share a single RAID        directory tree.    -   c) If the site directory has a file called “FULL” in it, then        the partition is considered unavailable and is not used. (See        e.g., 31, FIG. 3). If a FULL directory is encountered, then the        next numeric RAID partition is used instead (wrapping back to        the first directory, if necessary). (See e.g., 3 o, FIG. 3). If        all directories are full, then the roll processing fails and the        roll is not stored in the database or available to the        photographer. (See e.g., 3 n, FIG. 3).    -   d) Under the site directory are a number of directories (such as        “1,” “2,”, etc. up to 365 maximum directories). (See e.g., 3 h,        FIG. 3). This number must be relatively prime with respect to        the number of RAID partitions available. (That is, the divisors        of one number cannot be divisors of the other. The easiest way        to accomplish this is if both numbers are prime.) (See e.g., 3        i, FIG. 3). The image server takes the number of directories        modulo the day of the year to determine which numeric directory        to use. Determining directories based on the day of the year        ensures that rolls of film processed on the same day will        generally appear in the same directory. (See e.g., 3 m, FIG. 3).    -   e) Each numeric directory can store up to 255 rolls of film        since the UNIX file system is most efficient with no more than        255 files in a directory. (See e.g., 3 p, FIG. 3). If a numeric        directory is full, the next numeric directory is used (wrapping        back to “1” if necessary). If all numeric directories are full,        the next numeric partition directory is used, as in step C        above. (See e.g., 3 u, FIG. 3).    -   f) A directory with a name identical to the roll's access code        is created under the calculated numeric directory. (See e.g., 3        q, FIG. 3). Each image in the roll is stored as a separate file        in this directory. (See e.g., 3 r, FIG. 3).

Note that the foregoing procedure is only used to determine the locationof the digital images. (See e.g., 3 s, FIG. 3). After the location hasbeen determined, the database entry for the digital images contains thedigital image's location. All future access to the digital images isperformed via the database entry for the digital images.

As previously mentioned, the preferred HTML interface allows thephotographer to view thumbnails of digital images. The preferredthumbnail sizes are 16-bit true color images with resolutions of 50×34pixels, 64×43 pixels, 96×64 pixels, and 160×107 pixels. The thumbnaildigital images can be generated when the film is originally processed(the preferred method) or on-the-fly when the thumbnail digital imagesare requested by a photographer 8. In either case, the thumbnail digitalimages are cached at the image server 16 in a special directory reservedfor this purpose. (See e.g., 3 t, FIG. 3). Subsequent access to thethumbnail digital images may be obtained by retrieving them directlyfrom this cache. Thumbnail digital images in the cache can be deleted asrequired, and regenerated as needed.

In a most preferred interface, a photographer 8 accesses the imageserver 16 from a remote second location in order to view an HTML pagecontaining the thumbnail digital images. (See e.g., 5 a and 5 e, FIG.5). If the photographer selects a particular thumbnail digital image, alarger version of that digital image is then displayed on a new HTMLpage. This later page also contains a procedure for allowing thephotographer 8 to view the next or previous digital image, performelectronic transactions with the digital image (such as downloading thedigital image to a local computer or e-mailing the digital image toanother party), or order visual prints of the digital images in avariety of formats and sizes. (See e.g., 5 f and 5 p FIG. 5).

The photographer 8 can request that a copy of a digital image bedownloaded (or sent) to a local remote machine from the image server 16.See e.g., 5 g and 5 q, FIG. 5). Preferably, the photographer 8 obtains ahigh-resolution copy of the digital image (e.g., 1024×1536 pixels) inorder to retain a high-quality digital image. The photographer 8 maygenerate a digital image of sufficient detail to order additionalformats of the image based on the new digital image.

The photographer 8 may also generate a new digital image based on theoriginal digital image. The new digital image may incorporate changes ormodifications over the original digital image such as modifying thecolor or exposure attributes of the digital image, merging data frommultiple digital images into a single new digital image, or otherstandard image generation techniques available in applications such asAdobe PhotoShop and the like. The new digital image is then sent to theimage server 16. (See e.g., 4 a, FIG. 4). If desired, the new digitalimage may replace the original copy of the digital image at the imageserver 16, be added to the set of digital images available under theunique access code previously assigned, added under a new access code oradded to a different preexisting access code. (See e.g., 4 b and 4 d,FIG. 4). In any case, the new digital image may also be available at theimage server 16 and all interfaces B are available to the photographer 8to view this digital image.

The photographer 8 can use the interface B consisting of the HTMLinterface to step forward or backward through the digital images in theroll, and each digital image may be viewed, downloaded, e-mailed(electronically mailed), or special ordered as a visual print. (Seee.g., 5 d, FIG. 5). It will be understood that the HTML interface isutilized by the photographer 8 in the sales process to determine whichof the digital images (if any) the photographer would like to order as avisual print as well as the sizes, types, and number of visual prints tobe ordered. (See e.g., 5 j, FIG. 5)

As previously explained, the visual prints include photographic paperprints or items incorporating the digital image such as mugs, T-shirts,or other items. When placing an order, the photographer 8 may also beaided by digital image replicas of the various products that they canchoose to order. Selecting a product replica initiates an orderingprocedure for the selected product incorporating the selected digitalimage. Each image server 16 maintains a table of access code prefixesand associated image servers, which is used to automatically forwardrequests for digital images to the appropriate image server. (See e.g.,5 b, FIG. 5). For HTML access to the image server 16, forwarding can beperformed by returning a reference to an HTML page located at the remoteserver (second location).

For client interface access to the image server 16, the client candetermine the appropriate image server to contact by making a remoteprocedure call to the known server. (See e.g., 4 c, FIG. 4).Accordingly, a large number of geographically distributed image servers16 are able to manage any number of digital images for a large number ofgeographically distributed photographers 8.

In an alternate embodiment to the interface over a computer network, theinterface B is presented as a physical representation of the image whichis delivered through the normal postal service or the like FIG. 8. Inthis embodiment, the photographer 8 requests that one or more digitalimages be made available to a specified recipient. The requested digitalimages are placed on an index print, which is a small physicalrepresentation of each digital image together on a single print (muchlike the proof sheet or set of thumbnails, but as a printed photographrather than on a computer screen). The index print 8 a is assigned aunique access code and each image in the print is marked with adifferent number.

The index print 8 a is then sent to the desired recipient 8 b along withinstructions for ordering photographic merchandise based on thedelivered images. In a preferred embodiment, a toll-free number isprovided, which the recipient 8 b can immediately call 8 c and place anorder for a visual print based on any printed photograph in the indexprint. In an alternate embodiment, an order form can be included withindex print, which the recipient can fill out and return to place anorder 8 d. For the toll-free telephone number, the order may be placedwith a human operator or an automated response system 8 e of a typecommercially available. A human operator may utilize an interfacesimilar to the HTML interface previously described above. However, theoperator accesses the digital images on the server 16 using the uniqueaccess code provided by the caller. Otherwise, the types of screens,items to order and information collected are similar to the HTMLinterface previously described.

It will be appreciated that the image server 16 may receive rolls offilm from a variety of developers 12, e.g., film development companies,portrait studios, development warehouses, individual camera shops andthe like. These companies may desire to maintain control over theproducts offered for their rolls (that is, rolls from theirphotographers which are scanned into digital images and uploaded to theimage server 16) and the prices of these products. Moreover, it will beappreciated that the larger development warehouses in turn servicenumerous drugstores, grocery stores, and other establishments, whichalso wish to maintain control of their offerings. The preferred methodfor supporting this functionality is to individually control eachinterface B by assigning each company an administrative account andpassword which is used while uploading a roll of film. Thisadministrative account has access to one or more price sheets at theimage server 16 uniquely associated with that account. Each price sheetis a table of products to offer and the prices for these products. Thescanning center 14 assigns a price sheet for each roll of film when thatroll is uploaded to the image server 16. The image server 16 uses thisprice sheet to display to the photographer 8 the products which may beordered from their images and the price of each product. (See e.g., 5 h,FIG. 5). This method allows the developer 12, e.g., original retailoutlet (such as a drugstore) that accepts the roll of film (which iseventually made available from the image server), to control theproducts and pricing seen by the photographer 8 in the HTML interface orother interface B at a remote second location. (See e.g., 5 i, FIG. 5).

When the photographer 8 uploads one or more digital images directly tothe image server 16, these images are either added to a set of imagesalready associated with an access code or the new images are assigned anew unique access code. When a new access code is assigned, a pricesheet must be associated with these images in order to provide to thephotographer 8 the visual prints which may be ordered using the newimages. In a preferred embodiment, the photographer 8 selects afulfillment center 20 which they prefer to use to fulfill all ordersplaced using the new images. A price sheet is associated with eachfulfillment center 20, and this price sheet forms the basis for theproducts available to the photographer 8, and the prices of theseproducts.

The fulfillment center 20 receives orders placed through the interface,B, e.g., HTML interface, client interface, or received via a telephoneoperator or written order based on an index print as previouslydescribed. (See e.g., 5 o, FIGS. 5 and 7 e, FIG. 7). Once an order hasbeen placed, regardless of the interface B employed, the order isfulfilled and delivered. From the fulfillment center 20 perspective, anorder off an index print is no different than an order received over anyof the other interfaces B. The visual prints are generated from thestored digital image, and the order is delivered to a specified locationusing techniques well known in the art. (See e.g., 5 k, FIG. 5).

When an order is placed for a visual print, the photographer 8 providesthe appropriate billing and shipping information and this information isstored on the image server 16. (See e.g., 5 l and 5 n, FIG. 5). In apreferred embodiment, the order may be charged to the photographer'scredit card and delivered by standard mail to the photographer 8 at aspecified address. (See e.g., 5 o, FIG. 5). In this case, shippingcharges are usually assessed in addition to the product charges. In analternate embodiment, the order may be delivered to a retail outlet,e.g., developer 12, and picked up by the photographer 8. (See e.g., 5 m,FIG. 5). In this case, the photographer 8 may use any method of paymentaccepted by the retail outlet, the credit card number of the partyplacing the order is preferably obtained by the image server 16 as aguarantee for the order.

In a most preferred embodiment, the image server 16 also provides anHTML-based administrative interface C which is accessible by thedeveloper 12, the scanning center 14, the fulfillment center 20, andother appropriate parties. The interface C is accessed using an accountand password unique to the party, and the capabilites a particularaccount can perform is limited by an access control list in a mannerwell known in the art. (See e.g., 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, FIG. 7). Availablecapabilities include, but are not limited to, the ability to upload newrolls to the image server 16; view, edit, or delete rolls of film (thatis, the images and information associated with the roll); view or editcharges associated with a roll of film; create or edit price sheets;view, edit, or fulfill orders; generate and print activity reports basedon various criteria; and view or edit system administrators for theimage server. (See e.g., 7 d, FIG. 7). It will be appreciated that theindividual capabilities may also be split between multiple interfaces.In order to support these capabilites, the image server 16 maintainsmultiple databases containing roll, user, price sheet and otheradministrative information, as well as tracking usage data for allactivities performed on the image server. (See e.g., 7 f and 7 i, FIG.7). In addition, the image server 16 also maintains a disbursement sheetassociated with each price sheet. (See e.g., 7 g, FIG. 7). Thedisbursement sheet identifies how any profits obtained from the ordersare shared between the developer 12, the scanning center 14, thefulfillment center 20, and any other party. (See e.g., 7 h, FIG. 7). Thepreferred method for these disbursements are as a percentage of the netmargins. Furthermore, the disbursements for a particular party may befurther disbursed to additional parties. For example, a party maysponsor a promotion for the sale of a visual print such as mugs inexchange for 10% of the fulfillment center's share of profits.

The creation of the visual prints from the digital image is performedusing standard equipment available in the industry. In a preferredembodiment, a film recorder 6, see FIG. 6 such as an Opal recorder fromManagement Graphic, Inc. is used to generate a photographic negative 6 bfrom the digital image. The negative is then used to generate a visualprint 6 c which is identical to the digital image on the appropriatemerchandise. In an alternate embodiment, a cathode ray tube printer 6 dsuch as those available from Konica USA or Bremson, Inc. creates thevisual prints on photographic paper directly from the digital image. Itwill be appreciated that this avoids the cost of creating a negative,while still preserving the quality of a photographic print. Fornon-paper items such as mugs 6 f or T-shirts 6 g, the visual print 6 ccan be printed directly from the digital image, and adhered to an itemusing a heat transfer system 6 e of a type well known in the art. In yetanother embodiment, an alternate photographic printing method can beused, such as the Pictography 3000 system available from FujiFilm.

The patent applications, patents and documents referred to herein arehereby incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that various other modifications and changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thepresent invention being limited by the following claims.

1. A method for ordering digital image products over a communicationnetwork, comprising: a. storing at least one digital image on a remoteserver of a service provider; b. placing an order by a user for at leastone image product using a remote computer over a communication networkwith respect to said at least one digital image and said userdesignating the location at which said image product is to be picked up;c. producing said at least one image product; and d. picking up saidimage product at said designated location.
 2. The method according toclaim 1 wherein said at least one image product is produced at alocation separate from said designated pick-up location.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image wasobtained by scanning a roll of photographic film.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image wasobtained from a digital capture device.
 5. The method according to claim4 wherein said digital capture device comprises a digital camera.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image wasobtained from a user uploading said at least one digital image to saidremote server over a communication network.
 7. The method according toclaim 6 wherein said remote server controls access to said at least oneimage.
 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said service providercontrols access to said at least one image.
 9. The method according toclaim 1 wherein said user picks up said order at said designatedlocation.
 10. A method for ordering digital image products over acommunication network, comprising: a. storing at least one digital imageon a remote server of a service provider; b. placing an order by a userfor at least one image product with respect to said at least one digitalimage over a communication network using a remote computer and said userselecting a fulfillment center at which said product is to produced; andc. producing said at least one image product.
 11. The method accordingto claim 10 further comprising delivering said order to said user. 12.The method according to claim 10 further comprising delivering saidorder to a designated third party.
 13. The method according to claim 10wherein said at least one image product is delivered at said designatedfulfillment center.
 14. The method according to claim 10 wherein said atleast one digital image was obtained by scanning a roll of photographicfilm.
 15. The method according to claim 10 wherein said at least onedigital image was obtained from a digital capture device.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15 wherein said digital capture device comprises adigital camera.
 17. The method according to claim 10 wherein said atleast one digital image was obtained from said user uploading said atleast one digital image to said remote server over a communicationnetwork.
 18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said remote servercontrols access to said at least one digital image.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 10 wherein said service provider controls storage andaccess to said at least one image.
 20. The method according to claim 10wherein said user picks up said order at said designated location.